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EHC NEEDS ASSESSMENT REQUEST SUPPORT
Make your EHC needs assessment request count
We help parents prepare clear, well-evidenced requests that address the legal test directly and give their child the strongest possible chance of securing an assessment.
What is an EHC needs assessment and why does it matter?
If you believe your child may need an Education, Health and Care Plan, requesting an EHC needs assessment is the first formal step.
An EHC needs assessment is the process through which the Local Authority gathers and considers information about your child’s educational, health and social care needs. It enables the Local Authority to decide whether an EHCP is necessary to secure the special educational provision your child requires.
To decide whether to carry out an assessment, the Local Authority must apply a specific legal test and if both parts of this test are met, the Local Authority must carry out the assessment.
It may sound straightforward, but requests are frequently refused at this first stage. This does not necessarily mean that an assessment is not needed. The evidence may not have been presented clearly, important information may be missing, or the Local Authority may not have applied the legal test correctly.
Getting the request right from the outset matters.
How we support you
What we help with
Explaining the legal test the Local Authority must apply
Identifying the evidence that supports your request and any gaps that may need to be addressed
Preparing a clear, detailed and well-structured request that directly addresses the legal threshold
Reviewing and strengthening a request you have already written
Preparing a parent-led EHC needs assessment request on your behalf
Explaining the Local Authority’s decision and advising you on the next steps available
You’re not alone
When families usually need this support
Families often seek support when one of these situations sounds familiar.
★★★★★
“Laura took the information I had and started the ball rolling. She was always there for me at every stage, replied to every email no matter the time or day.”
BA
Parent we supported
Your child’s school has suggested requesting an EHC needs assessment, but the supporting evidence has not yet been clearly gathered or organised.
Concerns about your child’s needs have been raised previously, but they have not resulted in a formal assessment.
You have professional reports and supporting evidence, but need help organising and presenting them clearly before the request is submitted.
You are concerned that a request may be refused and want to ensure the evidence is presented as clearly and effectively as possible.
Parents want to submit their own request rather than rely on schools, who may miss out some of the detail or not put together a comprehensive enough request that addresses the legal test wording.
You are concerned that a request may be refused and want to ensure the evidence is presented as clearly and effectively as possible.
Our EHC needs assessment options
Flexible support for your EHC needs assessment request
Many EHC needs assessment requests are initially refused. This does not necessarily mean that the child does not require an assessment. In some cases, the evidence has not been presented clearly or the legal test has not been fully addressed.
Getting the request right from the outset can make a significant difference. We offer flexible support depending on how much help you would like, from reviewing and strengthening a request you have prepared yourself to providing comprehensive support with preparing the request.
Full support for an EHC needs assessment request
Designed for families who want comprehensive support preparing their EHC needs assessment request from the outset.
Includes
A detailed review of relevant professional reports and supporting evidence
Advice and guidance tailored to your child’s circumstances
Preparation of a clear, comprehensive and legally grounded parent-led EHC needs assessment request
Aftercare support once the Local Authority has issued its decision, including guidance on the next steps available to you
We also provide after care support once your LA decision has been reached.
Advisory support for a parent-written request
If you have prepared your own EHC needs assessment request, we can review it before you send it to the Local Authority and provide focused guidance on how to strengthen it.
We will check whether the legal test has been clearly addressed and whether the available evidence supports the points you are making.
Includes
Advice on strengthening your written request
Guidance on wording that may need to be clearer or more precise
Recommendations for any additional evidence that may support your application
Aftercare support once the Local Authority has issued its decision, including guidance on the next steps available to you
We also provide after care support once your LA decision has been reached.
All our work is grounded in the legal framework governing EHC needs assessments and informed by current legislation, statutory guidance and relevant case law. Every client receives clear Terms of Business setting out the scope of the service and the support we will provide.
Our process
How our EHC Needs Assessment support for parents works
1.
Get in touch
Tell us where you are in the process, what evidence you already have and what concerns you most. We will listen carefully and explain which of our support options is best suited to your circumstances.
2.
We review your evidence
We review your professional reports, school records and any correspondence with the Local Authority. We identify the strengths of your case, any gaps in the evidence and how your child’s needs relate to the legal test for an EHC needs assessment.
3.
Your request is prepared
We prepare a clear, detailed and legally grounded EHC needs assessment request on your behalf, or review and strengthen a request you have already drafted. Every section is carefully structured to address the statutory test the Local Authority must apply.
4.
The Local Authority makes its decision
In most cases, the Local Authority must notify you of its decision within six weeks of receiving the request. Once you receive that decision, we can explain what it means and advise you on the most appropriate next steps.
Is this the right support for you?
You believe your child may need an EHC needs assessment and want to ensure the request is clear, well-evidenced and properly aligned with the legal test before it is submitted to the Local Authority.
An assessment request is usually most helpful when…
You are preparing your first EHC needs assessment request as a parent.
School has not submitted an EHCP assessment request despite clear evidence of need.
Professional reports are available but difficult to present clearly against the legal test.
You want to strengthen your request to the Local Authority.
You need clear guidance and advice before sending evidence for an EHC needs assessment request.
This service may not be the right fit if…
You have already received a refusal to assess decision and now need refusal to assess mediation or appeal support.
Your child already has a draft EHCP that requires a professional review.
Your main concern is annual review changes or final EHCP wording.
Free download
7 Things to Check Before You Accept a Draft EHCP
A practical guide to help you identify unclear wording, missing provision, and the key sections that matter before your EHCP is finalised.
Trusted by families across England
Real reviews from parents and carers we’ve supported through EHCPs, appeals and Tribunals.
Questions & answers
Frequently asked questions about EHC needs assessment requests
Still unsure about something? We’re always happy to talk it through.
Why families choose us
You are in safe, experienced hands
We are a multi-award-winning team of independent SEND advocates and consultants with backgrounds in healthcare, education and law.
Every member of our team has personal experience of navigating the SEND system, either as a neurodivergent person, as a parent advocating for their own child/ren, or both. That lived experience sits alongside our professional knowledge and shapes the practical, compassionate support we provide.
Our team holds Advanced IPSEA SEND Law Level 3 training at a minimum, undertakes ongoing professional development and keeps up to date with relevant case law, statutory guidance and developments in SEND law. Where appropriate, we may also seek specialist legal input on more complex matters.
We are proud of the recognition our work has received, but we are most proud of the families who continue to place their trust in us and the outcomes we have helped them achieve for their children.
Led by lived experience
Parents & carers of SEND children
SEND GUIDANCE
Helpful guidance for families navigating SEND
Explore related support
Other ways we can help
EHCP Draft Check
A detailed, line-by-line review of your child’s draft EHCP before it is finalised.
Refusal to Assess Appeals
Support to challenge a Local Authority’s refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment through mediation or an appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Annual Review Support
We review your child’s EHCP, prepare you for the annual review meeting and guide you through the process afterwards to help ensure the plan continues to accurately reflect their needs.
Here when you’re ready
Not sure if your request is strong enough?
Getting the request right from the outset can make a significant difference. We can review your circumstances and evidence, explain the legal test the Local Authority must apply, and help you prepare a clear, well-evidenced request that gives your child the strongest possible chance of securing an assessment.